Motor for driving lenses

ABSTRACT

A motor for driving lenses is provided. The motor includes a case, a yoke fixed in the case, a magnet fixed in the yoke, a carrier equipped with lenses and installed in the magnet such that the carrier moves up and down within the magnet, a coil coupled with the carrier, in which the coil cooperates with the magnet to move up and down the carrier, a spring unit including first and second springs having arc shapes and being separated from each other while forming a ring shape as a whole, a spacer supporting the outer peripheral surface of the spring unit, and a terminal provided on the spacer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/811,722, filed Jul. 11, 2022; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 16/921,294, filed Jul. 6, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No.11,415,772, issued Aug. 16, 2022; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/868,606, filed Jan. 11, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No.10,746,953, issued Aug. 18, 2020; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/472,111, filed Aug. 28, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,891,403, issued Feb. 13, 2018; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/954,535, filed Jul. 30, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No.8,922,919, issued Dec. 30, 2014; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/274,979, filed Oct. 17, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No.8,659,844, issued Feb. 25, 2014; which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 11/913,307, filed Oct. 31, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No.8,068,295, issued Nov. 29, 2011; which is the U.S. national stageapplication of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2007/002322,filed May 10, 2007; which claims priority to Korean Patent ApplicationNos. 10-2006-0042643, 10-2006-0043024, and 10-2006-0044203; filed May11, 2006, May 12, 2006, and May 17, 2006, respectively, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present document relates to a motor for driving lenses.

Background Art

As digital appliances have been diversified, digital devices equippedwith cameras or MP3 players are developed and extensively used. Inaddition, a motor for driving lenses of the camera installed in thedigital device is also developed and extensively used.

The motor for driving the lenses adjusts the position of the lenses byusing a carrier that moves as current is supplied to/removed from acoil. The coil receives external power through a spring electricallyconnected to both the coil and a main printed circuit board (PCB).

Recently, many users request for small-sized digital appliances. In thisregard, studies are being pursued to provide digital appliances havingsmall size and capable of stably supplying current to the coil.

BRIEF SUMMARY Technical Problem

Embodiments of the present invention provide a motor for driving lenses,capable of minimizing the size thereof while stably supplying current toa coil.

Technical Solution

An embodiment of the present invention provides a motor for drivinglenses. The motor for driving lenses comprises a case, a yoke fixed inthe case, a magnet fixed in the yoke, a carrier equipped with lenses andinstalled in the magnet such that the carrier moves up and down withinthe magnet, a coil coupled with the carrier, in which the coilcooperates with the magnet to move up and down the carrier, a springunit including first and second springs having arc shapes and beingseparated from each other while forming a ring shape as a whole, inwhich an outer peripheral surface of the spring unit is fixed to thecase, an inner peripheral surface of the spring unit is fixed to thecarrier to elastically support the carrier, and a lead wire of the coilis connected to the spring unit so that external power is supplied tothe coil, a spacer supporting the outer peripheral surface of the springunit, and a terminal provided on the spacer, in which one side of theterminal protrudes downward by passing through a bottom of the case tomake connection with the spring unit and a main PCB of a product.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a motor for drivinglenses. The motor for driving lenses comprises a case, a yoke fixed inthe case, a magnet fixed in the yoke, a carrier equipped with lenses andinstalled in the magnet such that the carrier moves up and down withinthe magnet, a coil coupled with the carrier, in which the coilcooperates with the magnet to move up and down the carrier, and a springunit including first and second springs having arc shapes and beingseparated from each other while forming a ring shape as a whole, inwhich an outer peripheral surface of the spring unit is fixed to thecase, an inner peripheral surface of the spring unit is fixed to thecarrier to elastically support the carrier, and a lead wire of the coilis connected to the spring unit so that external power is supplied tothe coil, wherein each of the first and second springs comprises aninner section integrally formed with the carrier, an outer section fixedto the case, and a connection section connecting the inner section tothe outer section, a first end portion of the outer section is exposedout of the carrier and bent so as to be connected to a main PCB of aproduct by passing through the case, and a first end portion of theinner section is exposed out of the carrier such that the lead wire ofthe coil is connected to the first end portion of the inner section.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a motor for drivinglenses. The motor for driving lenses comprises a case, a yoke fixed inthe case, a magnet fixed in the yoke, a carrier equipped with lenses andinstalled in the magnet such that the carrier moves up and down withinthe magnet, a coil coupled with the carrier, in which the coilcooperates with the magnet to move up and down the carrier, and a springunit including first and second springs having arc shapes and beingseparated from each other while forming a ring shape as a whole, inwhich an outer peripheral surface of the spring unit is fixed to thecase, an inner peripheral surface of the spring unit is fixed to thecarrier to elastically support the carrier, and a lead wire of the coilis connected to the spring unit so that external power is supplied tothe coil, wherein each of the first and second springs comprises aninner section integrally formed with the carrier, an outer section fixedto the case, and a connection section connecting the inner section tothe outer section, a first end portion of the outer section is exposedout of the carrier and bent so as to be connected to a main PCB of aproduct by passing through the case, and a second end portion of theinner section, which corresponds to a second end portion of the outersection opposite to the bending portion, is exposed out of the carriersuch that the lead wire of the coil is connected to the second endportion of the inner section.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a motor for drivinglenses. The motor for driving lenses comprises a case, a yoke fixed inthe case, a magnet fixed in the yoke, a carrier equipped with lenses andinstalled in the magnet such that the carrier moves up and down withinthe magnet, a coil coupled with the carrier, in which the coilcooperates with the magnet to move up and down the carrier, and a springunit including first and second springs having arc shapes and beingseparated from each other while forming a ring shape as a whole, inwhich an outer peripheral surface of the spring unit is fixed to thecase, an inner peripheral surface of the spring unit is fixed to thecarrier to elastically support the carrier, and a lead wire of the coilis connected to the spring unit so that external power is supplied tothe coil, wherein each of the first and second springs comprises aninner section integrally formed with the carrier, an outer section fixedto the case, and a connection section connecting the inner section tothe outer section, a first end portion of the inner section is exposedout of the carrier and bent so as to be connected to a main PCB of aproduct by passing through the case, and a second end portion of theinner section, which is opposite to the bending portion, is exposed outof the carrier such that the lead wire of the coil is connected to thesecond end portion of the inner section.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a motor for drivinglenses. The motor for driving lenses comprises a case, a yoke fixed inthe case, a magnet fixed in the yoke, a carrier equipped with lenses andinstalled in the magnet such that the carrier moves up and down withinthe magnet, a coil coupled with the carrier, in which the coilcooperates with the magnet to move up and down the carrier, a springunit including first and second springs having arc shapes and beingseparated from each other while forming a ring shape as a whole, inwhich an outer peripheral surface of the spring unit is fixed to thecase, an inner peripheral surface of the spring unit is fixed to thecarrier to elastically support the carrier, and a lead wire of the coilis connected to the spring unit so that external power is supplied tothe coil, and a connection member provided on the spring unit so as tosupport the lead wire of the coil and to provide a connection spot forthe lead wire of the coil.

Advantageous Effects

The motor for driving the lenses according to embodiments of the presentinvention can minimize the size thereof while stably supplying currentto the coil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a motor for driving lenses accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing main components of amotor for driving lenses according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bottom of a spacer shown in FIG.2 .

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a bottom of a spacer coupled with acarrier shown in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing main components of amotor for driving lenses according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a bottom of a spacer shown in FIG.5 .

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a bottom of a spacer coupled with acarrier shown in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing main components of amotor for driving lenses according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a spring shown inFIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a spring shown inFIG. 8 .

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of a spring shown inFIG. 8 .

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a base according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a connection structure between acoil and a spring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a connection structure between acoil and a spring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a motor for driving lenses accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

The motor for driving the lenses according to the embodiment of thepresent invention includes a case 110 having a predetermined spacetherein. The case 110 has a base 111 and an upper cover 115, which arecoupled to each other. The upper cover 115 is formed at an upper surfacethereof with an inlet hole 117, which is a path for a carrier 150.

A yoke 120 is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the case 110, anda magnet 130 is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the yoke 120.The yoke 120 and the magnet 130 may have ring shapes. The carrier 150 isinstalled in the magnet 130 while being supported by a spring 140 suchthat the carrier 150 can move up and down. Lenses 200 is installed inthe carrier 150 in such a manner that the lenses 200 can move up anddown according to the movement of the carrier 150. In order tofacilitate assembly work, the carrier 150 consists of an upper carrier151 and a lower carrier 155 which are coupled to each other.

A coil 160 is fixedly wound around an outer peripheral surface of thecarrier 150. The coil 160 is spaced apart from the magnet 130 inopposition to the magnet 130. As current is applied to the coil 160,electromagnetic force is generated between the coil 160 and the magnet130, so that the coil 160 is urged upward or downward. Thus, the carrier150 is moved up or down, thereby moving the lenses 200.

A spacer 170 having elasticity is installed between a bottom surface ofthe yoke 120 and the base 111, and between a top surface of the yoke 120and the upper cover 115, respectively. The spacer 170 may have a ringshape. The spacer 170 can be compressed and expanded so as to compensatefor the tolerance of parts assembled in the case 110 and the toleranceoccurring when assembling the parts.

The carrier 150, which has been moved up by the electromagnetic force,returns to its initial position by means of the spring 140. In addition,a lead wire of the coil 160 is connected to the spring 140 so thatexternal power can be applied to the coil 160 through the spring 140.Two springs 140 are provided at upper and lower end portions of theouter peripheral surface of the carrier 150. That is, two springs 140are fixed to the upper end portion of the outer peripheral surface ofthe upper carrier 151 and the lower end portion of the outer peripheralsurface of the lower carrier 155, respectively. Thus, the up/downmovement of the carrier 150 can be performed without being twisted. Thelead wire of the coil 160 is soldered to one of the two springs 140.

The spring 140 not only returns the carrier 150 to the initial position,but also applies the current to the coil 160. In order to allow theexternal power to be applied to the coil 160 through the spring 140, thespring 140 is connected to the main PCB of the product.

In the motor for driving the lenses according to an embodiment of thepresent invention, the spring 140 is connected to the main PCB by meansof a terminal in order to minimize the size of the motor. Hereinafter,embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference todrawings 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing maincomponents of the motor for driving the lenses according to anembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective viewshowing a bottom of the spacer shown in FIG. 2 , and FIG. 4 is aperspective view showing the bottom of the spacer coupled with thecarrier shown in FIG. 2 .

As shown in the drawings, the spring 140 includes first and secondsprings 141 and 145 having arc shapes and being separated from eachother. The first and second springs 141 and 145 form a ring shape as awhole.

The first and second springs 141 and 145 include inner sections 142 and146, outer sections 143 and 147, and connection sections 144 and 148.The inner sections 142 and 146 have arc shapes, and inner peripheralsurfaces thereof can be integrally formed with an outer surface of thelower carrier 155 through a molding process. The outer sections 143 and147 have arc shapes and outer peripheral surfaces thereof are fixedbetween the spacer 170 and the base 111. The connection sections 144 and148 connect the inner sections 142 and 146 to the outer sections 143 and147.

As external power is supplied to the coil 160 through the spring 140,the coil 160 moves up due to the electromagnetic force, so that thecarrier 150 and the lenses 200 also move up. Thus, the inner sections142 and 146 of the spring 140 move up according to the movement of thecarrier 150. Then, if the current being supplied to the coil 160 is shutoff, the carrier 150 moves down to its initial position by means ofelasticity of the spring 140.

One end portion and the other end portion of the inner sections 142 and146 of the spring 140 are exposed out of the carrier 150 so as toconnected with the lead wire of the coil 160 and conductive terminals180, respectively.

A pair of conductive terminals 180 are provided, and the conductiveterminals 180 are prepared by using metallic materials. Each conductiveterminal 180 includes a body 181 and a connection pin 185. The body 181is provided on a predetermined region of the spacer 170, which isopposed to the other end portions of the inner sections 142 and 146. Theconnection pin 185 extends from the body 181 and protrudes downward bypassing through the base 111 of the case 110 so as to be connected withthe main PCB.

Since the connection pins 185 are connected with the main PCB by passingthrough the bottom of the case 110 without protruding out of the case110, the motor for driving the lenses according to the embodiment of thepresent invention can be minimized.

Support holes 142 a and 146 a are formed at the other end portions ofthe inner sections 142 and 146 and the connection pins 185 pass throughthe support holes 142 a and 146 a. In addition, the base 111 is formedwith support holes 112 into which the connection pins 185 are inserted.

The connection pins 185 of the terminals 180 fixed to the spacer 170 areconnected to the main PCB by passing through the support holes 142 a and146 a of the inner sections 142 and 146. Accordingly, the spring 140 isconnected to the connection pins 185 while being supported by theconnection pins 185, so that the spring 140 is inhibited fromhorizontally moving.

In addition, since the connection pins 185 are inserted into the supportholes 112 of the base 111, the connection pins 185 are supported by thebase 111, so that the connection pins 185 can be inhibited from moving.

In order to securely fix the terminal 180 to the spring 140, the body181 can be welded to other end portions of the inner sections 142 and146 of the spring 140.

Hereinafter, a motor for driving lenses according to another embodimentof the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to7 . FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing main components ofthe motor for driving the lenses according to another embodiment of thepresent invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a bottom of aspacer shown in FIG. 5 , and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing thebottom of the spacer coupled with the carrier shown in FIG. 5 . Thefollowing description for the present embodiment will be focused on thedifference relative to the embodiment described with reference to FIGS.2 to 4 .

As shown in the drawings, one end portion and the other end portion ofinner sections of first and second springs 241 and 245 are exposed outof a lower carrier 255, and the lead wire of the coil is connected tothe one end portion of the inner sections 242 and 246.

Support protrusions 273 are provided at a predetermined region of aspacer 270 opposed to the other end portions of the inner sections 242and 246. Support holes 242 a and 246 a are formed at the other endportion of the inner sections 242 and 246 of the spring 240 and thesupport protrusions 273 pass through the support holes 242 a and 246 a.In addition, support holes 212 are formed at the base 211 and thesupport protrusions 273 are inserted into the support holes 212 of thebase 211.

Since the support protrusions 273 pass through the support holes 242 aand 246 a, the spring 240 is supported by the support protrusions 273,so that the spring 240 is inhibited from horizontally moving. Inaddition, since the support protrusions 273 are inserted into thesupport holes 212 of the base 211, the spacer 270 is supported by thebase 211, so that the spacer 270 can be inhibited from moving.

Each terminal 280 includes a body 281 and a connection pin 285. The body281 is provided in the vicinity of the support protrusion 273. The body281 is welded to other end portions of inner sections 242 and 246 of thefirst and second springs 241 and 245. The connection pin 285 extendsfrom the body 281 and is inserted into the support hole 213 formed inthe base 211, so that the connection pin 285 is connected to the mainPCB. Since the connection pin 285 is inserted into the support hole 213,the terminal 280 is fixedly supported by the base 211.

As described above, according to the motor for driving the lenses of theembodiment of the present invention, the body of the terminal isprovided in the spacer and makes connection with the spring so as toconnect the spring to the main PCB of the product. In addition, theconnection pin of the terminal extends downward by passing through thebase of the case so as to be connected to the main PCB of the product.That is, in the motor for driving the lenses according to the embodimentof the present invention, the terminal is not exposed out of the case,so that the size of the motor can be minimized.

Hereinafter, a motor for driving lenses according to still anotherembodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9 . FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing maincomponents of the motor for driving the lenses according to the stillanother embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a perspectiveview showing an example of a spring shown in FIG. 8 .

As shown in the drawings, the spring 340 includes first and secondsprings 341 and 345 having arc shapes and being separated from eachother. The first and second springs 341 and 345 form a ring shape as awhole.

The first and second springs 341 and 345 include inner sections 342 and346, outer sections 343 and 347, and connection sections 344 and 348.The inner sections 342 and 346 have arc shapes, and inner peripheralsurfaces thereof can be integrally formed with an outer surface of thelower carrier 355 through a molding process. The outer sections 343 and347 have arc shapes and outer peripheral surfaces thereof are fixedbetween a spacer and a base 311. The connection sections 344 and 348connect the inner sections 342 and 346 to the outer sections 343 and347. First end portions 342 a and 346 a of the inner sections 342 and346 are exposed out of the lower carrier 355 such that the lead wire ofthe coil can be soldered to the first end portions 342 a and 346 a.

As external power is supplied to the coil through the spring 340, thecoil moves up due to the electromagnetic force, so that the carrier andthe lenses also move up. Thus, the inner sections 342 and 346 of thespring 340 move up according to the movement of the carrier. Then, ifthe current being supplied to the coil is shut off, the carrier movesdown to its initial position by means of elasticity of the spring 340.

In addition, first end portions 343 a and 347 a of the outer sections343 and 347 are exposed out of the lower carrier 355. Lower bendingsections 343 aa and 347 aa are inserted into support holes 312 formed inthe base 311 and are soldered to the main PCB of the product. That is,the bending sections 343 aa and 347 aa of the spring 340 connected tothe main PCB of the product are not exposed to the exterior of the case,but exposed by passing through the bottom of the base 311, so that thesize of the motor for driving the lenses can be minimized.

In addition, since the bending sections 343 aa and 347 aa of the spring340 are fixedly supported by the support holes 312 formed in the base311, the spring 340 is inhibited from moving.

Terminals 380 are integrally formed in the support holes 312 andprotrude downward to make connection with the main PCB of the product bymeans of soldering. At this time, the bending sections 343 aa and 347 aaof the spring 340 are inserted into the support holes 312 to makecontact with the terminals 380.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another example of a spring shownin FIG. 8 . Hereinafter, the spring shown in FIG. 10 will be describedwhile focusing on the difference relative to the spring described withreference to FIGS. 8 and 9 . The base, the support holes, the lowercarrier and the terminals may have reference numerals the same as thoseof the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8 .

The first and second springs 441 and 445 include inner sections 442 and446, outer sections 443 and 447, and connection sections 444 and 448.The inner sections 442 and 446 have arc shapes, and inner peripheralsurfaces thereof can be integrally formed with an outer surface of thelower carrier 355 through a molding process. The outer sections 443 and447 have arc shapes and outer peripheral surfaces thereof are fixedbetween the spacer and the base 311. The connection sections 444 and 448connect the inner sections 442 and 446 to the outer sections 443 and447.

First end portions 443 a and 447 a of the outer sections 443 and 447 ofthe first and second springs 441 and 445 are exposed out of the lowercarrier 355. Bending sections 443 aa and 447 aa, which are bentdownward, are connected to the main PCB. Second end portions 442 a and446 a of the inner sections 442 and 446, which correspond to the otherend portions of the bending sections 443 aa and 447 aa, are exposed tothe exterior of the lower carrier 355 so as to be connected with thelead wire of the coil.

In addition, the bending sections 443 aa and 447 aa can be inserted intothe support holes 312 so as to be connected to the terminals 380 makingcontact with the main PCB of the product.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of a spring shownin FIG. 8 . Hereinafter, the spring shown in FIG. 11 will be describedwhile focusing on the difference relative to the spring described withreference to FIGS. 8 and 9 . The base, the support holes, the lowercarrier and the terminals may have reference numerals the same as thoseof the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 8 .

As shown in FIG. 11 , the first and second springs 541 and 545 includeinner sections 542 and 546, outer sections 543 and 547, and connectionsections 544 and 548. The inner sections 542 and 546 have arc shapes,and inner peripheral surfaces thereof can be integrally formed with anouter surface of the lower carrier 355 through a molding process. Theouter sections 543 and 547 have arc shapes and outer peripheral surfacesthereof are fixed between the spacer and the base 311. The connectionsections 544 and 548 connect the inner sections 542 and 546 to the outersections 543 and 547.

First end portions 542 a and 546 a of the inner sections 542 and 546 ofthe first and second springs 541 and 545 are exposed out of the lowercarrier 355. Lower bending sections 542 aa and 546 aa are connected tothe main PCB. Second end portions 542 b and 546 b of the inner sections542 and 546, which correspond to the other end portions of the bendingsections 542 aa and 546 aa, are exposed to the exterior of the lowercarrier 355 so as to be connected with the lead wire of the coil.

In addition, the bending sections 542 aa and 546 aa can be inserted intothe support holes 312 so as to be connected to the terminals 380 makingcontact with the main PCB of the product.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a base according to anotherembodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the base shown in FIG.12 will be described while focusing on the difference relative to thebase shown in FIG. 8 .

As shown in FIG. 12 , support slots 612 are formed at one side of thebase 611. Terminals 680 connected to the main PCB are press-fitted intothe support slots 612. In addition, the bending sections 343 aa and 347aa, 443 aa and 447 aa, or 542 aa and 546 aa, which are described withreference to FIGS. 9 to 11 , can be soldered to the outer surface of theterminals 680 exposed out of the base 611.

If there are no terminals 680, the bending sections 343 aa and 347 aa,443 aa and 447 aa, or 542 aa and 546 aa can be directly connected to themain PCB.

As described above, according to the motor for driving the lenses of theembodiments of the present invention, one side of the spring connectedto the lead wire of the coil is bent and the bending portion of thespring is exposed by passing through the bottom of the base of the case,so that the bending portion of the spring can be connected to the mainPCB of the product. In addition, according to the motor for driving thelenses of the embodiments of the present invention, the bending portionof the spring can be connected to the terminal provided at the lowerportion of the base of the case in such a manner that the spring can beconnected to the main PCB of the product. Thus, the portion connected tothe main PCB of the product is not exposed out of the case, so that thesize of the motor according to the present invention can be minimized.In addition, since metallic bending portion of the spring or themetallic terminal can be directly connected to the main PCB of theproduct through soldering or the like, deformation is inhibited andworkability is improved.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a connection structure between acoil and a spring according to another embodiment of the presentinvention.

The spring 740 includes first and second springs 741 and 745 having arcshapes and being separated from each other. The first and second springs741 and 745 form a ring shape as a whole.

The first and second springs 741 and 745 include inner sections 742 and746, outer sections 743 and 747, and connection sections 744 and 748.The inner sections 742 and 746 have arc shapes, and inner peripheralsurfaces thereof can be integrally formed with an outer surface of thelower carrier 755 through a molding process. The outer sections 743 and747 have arc shapes and outer peripheral surfaces thereof are fixedbetween a spacer and a base. The connection sections 744 and 748 connectthe inner sections 742 and 746 to the outer sections 743 and 747. Firstend portions of the inner sections 742 and 746 are exposed to theexterior such that the lead wire of the coil can be soldered to thefirst end portions.

As external power is supplied to the coil 770 through the spring 740,the coil 770 moves up due to the electromagnetic force, so that thecarrier and the lenses also move up. Thus, the inner sections 742 and746 of the spring 740 move up together with the carrier. Then, if thecurrent being supplied to the coil 770 is shut off, the carrier movesdown to its initial position by means of elasticity of the spring 740.In addition, the spring 740 is soldered to the lead wire of the coil soas to supply the external power to the coil 770.

The spring 740 of the motor for driving the lenses according to theembodiment of the present invention is provided with a connectionmember, which supports the lead wire of the coil 770 and which providesa connection spot for the lead wire of the coil 770.

The connection member includes insertion grooves 742 a and 746 a, whichare formed at the first side of one end of the spring 740, and lockingprotrusions 742 b and 746 b, which are provided at the second side ofone end of the spring 740. The lead wire of the coil 770 is insertedinto the insertion grooves 742 a and 746 a. In addition, the lead wireof the coil 770 is coupled with the locking protrusions 742 b and 746 b.

In order to solder the lead wire of the coil 770 to the first endportions of the inner sections 742 and 746, the lead wire of the coil770 must be wound around the first end portions of the inner sections742 and 746. According to the motor for driving the lenses of anembodiment of the present invention, the lead wire of the coil 770 iswound around the inner sections 742 and 746 while being inserted intothe insertion grooves 742 a and 746 a and locked with the lockingprotrusions 742 b and 746 b. Therefore, the lead wire of the coil 770can be securely supported and precisely wound around predetermined partsof the inner sections 742 and 746. Thus, the lead wire of the coil 770can be securely soldered to the predetermined parts of the innersections 742 and 746.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a connection structure between acoil and a spring according to still another embodiment of the presentinvention. Hereinafter, the connection structure shown in FIG. 14 willbe described while focusing on the difference relative to the connectionstructure shown in FIG. 13 .

According to the motor for driving the lenses of the present embodiment,a spring 890 is provided with a connection member, which supports a leadwire of a coil 870 and which provides a connection spot for the leadwire of the coil 870.

The connection member is provided at first end portions of innersections 892 and 896 of the spring 890 and includes support protrusions892 a and 896 a for receiving and supporting the lead wire of the coil870. The support protrusions 892 a and 896 a can be formed by cuttingpredetermined portions of the inner sections 892 and 896 and thenbending the predetermined portions of the inner sections 892 and 896 bya predetermined angle. When the lead wire of the coil 870 is woundaround the inner sections 892 and 896, the lead wire of the coil 870 iscoupled with end portions of the support protrusions 892 a and 896 aintegrally formed with the inner sections 892 and 896. Accordingly, thelead wire of the coil 870 can be inhibited from being separated from theinner sections 892 and 896.

As described above, according to the motor for driving the lenses of theembodiments of the present invention, the lead wire of the coil issecurely supported on the support protrusions provided at thepredetermined portions of the spring to which the lead wire is soldered.Therefore, the soldering fault may not occur, and the lead wire can beprecisely soldered to the predetermined portions of the spring,improving reliability of the product.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The motor for driving the lenses according to embodiments of the presentinvention can minimize the size thereof while stably supplying currentto the coil.

1. A motor for driving a lens, the motor comprising: a base comprising afirst hole and a second hole, the first and second holes providedadjacent at a first side surface of the base; a yoke disposed on thebase, the yoke comprising a side surface and an upper surface formedwith a hole; a carrier disposed in the yoke; a coil disposed on an outerperipheral surface of the carrier and comprising a first end portion anda second end portion; a magnet facing the coil; an upper spring coupledto an upper portion of the carrier; and a lower spring coupled to alower portion of the carrier, and comprising a first lower spring and asecond lower spring physically separated from the first lower spring,wherein the first end portion of the coil is coupled to the first lowerspring, and the second end portion of the coil is coupled to the secondlower spring, wherein each of the first and second lower springscomprises an inner section coupled to the carrier, an outer sectionspaced apart from the inner section, a connection section connecting theinner section to the outer section, and a bending section connected tothe outer section and bent downward, wherein the inner section of thefirst lower spring and the inner section of the second lower spring areeach formed of an arc shape to be coupled to the lower portion of thecarrier, and wherein each of the bending sections of the first andsecond lower springs is provided in the first and second holes,respectively.